Comicdom Cosplay 2013
At last year’s Comicdom Cosplay, we said that our contestants have nothing to be jealous of, in regards to quality and professionalism, compared to those in international competitions. And we believed it! You need proof? This year, we’re not only holding the competition for the third time, but the winner will also represent our country in the European cosplay competition, EuroCosplay, at the London MCM EXPO, in October!
EuroCosplay is held every year since 2010 in London and it features the best cosplayers from all over Europe. Each participating country (last year there were 42 contestants from 25 countries, while this year there are scheduled to be 48 contestants from 28 countries!) picks its best cosplayer through a qualifying competition, and he or she will represent the country and compete fore the title of the best Euroepan cosplayer of the year!
EuroCosplay seeks to raise the profile of cosplay across Europe and inspire current and future cosplayers to strengthen the cosplay community. This is to be achieved primarily through a high profile and respectable competitive event which allows representation from all European countries.
Aside from the official website, you can see more photos from past EuroCosplay competitions and all latest news from this year’s event, in the EuroCosplay Facebook page.
Comicdom Cosplay logo and mascot designed by Tomek
This year (and hopefully, for many years to come) Comicdom Con Athens has the honor and privilege to have its own cosplay competition be the national qualifying competition for EuroCosplay 2013!
Aside from this huge change, of which we’re extremely proud, this year we also decided to satisfy the demand of many solo competition contestants and remove the judges questions segment of the competition, while giving the contestants the opportunity to enhance their stage performance with their own “soundtrack”. Furthermore, for the first time, the “costume quality” segment will be graded separately from the “similarity to character” and “stage presence” segments, a few hours before the Competition ceremony in the theater.
(Saturday April 20, 19:30, Theater)
Rules And Regulations
I want to participate in Comicdom Cosplay 2013. What do I have to do?
There are two categories in the competition: Solo and Group.
Solo
You have to send an email before March 31 2013, with “Cosplay Competition” in the subject line, to cosplay@comicdom-con.gr, that includes your name, email address and phone number. You also have to state the name of the character you’re dressing as, and the title of the comic, animation series, manga, anime, movie, TV series or video game from where he/she originates. Entries of generic characters (i.e. “loli goth”, “visual k”, etc.), or actual persons (band members, idols, etc.) will not be accepted. Your application should be accompanied by three images (jpg, approx 200 kb each) of the character, in the same version that will be presented in the competition (not of you personally), your music or audio segment in mp3 format (up to 30 seconds) if you wish to use during your appearance, as well as a confirmation on whether you will need a hand-held microphone or not. Keep in mind that during the Competition, you will have to step up and down a couple of stairs, so you better make sure that you will be able to move relatively easily in the costume!
Finally, you have to fill out a release form (download it here, if you’re an adult, or here if you’re a minor), which you must submit to the Comicdom Con Athens 2013 registration desk, on the day of the competition.
In case you don’t receive a reply to your registration email, please send it again. No registration will be considered valid without a confirmation email from us.
Group (up to 6 people)
You have to send an email before March 31 2013, with “Cosplay Competition” in the subject line, to cosplay@comicdom-con.gr, that includes the names, email addresses and phone numbers of all members of your group, along with the name of the group. You also have to state the name of the characters you’re dressing as, and the title of the comic, animation series, manga, anime, movie, TV series or video game from where they originate. Entries of generic characters (i.e. “loli goth”, “visual k”, etc.), or actual persons (band members, idols, etc.) will not be accepted. Your application should be accompanied by two images (jpg, approx 200 kb each) of each character, in the same version that will be presented in the competition, and three images featuring the whole group.
You have two options for your presentation: you can either do a dance act, or perform a little skit, or a reenactment of a particular scene, with maximum duration of four minutes. In the first option, your application email must also include the music piece (mp3) that will be played during your performance. In the second option, you must keep in mind that we can only provide you with only one hand-held microphone, and that this must be requested in your registration email. The four minute time limit for both options will be very strictly enforced.
Finally, every member of the group has to fill out a release form (download it here if you’re a adult, or here if you’re an minor) which you must submit to the registration desk, on the day of the competition.
Just like every year, the group competition will only be held if we reach a minimum number of four participating groups. If there are less than four participating groups, you can either make your presentation on stage without the incentive of a prize/distinction, or the members of the group can participate in the solo competition.
In case you don’t receive a reply to your registration email, please send it again. No entry will be regarded as valid without a confirmation email from us.
Who can compete in Comicdom Cosplay?
Everyone! Even you, back there! The competition is open to anyone who wants to participate, with the single exception of any members of the Comicdom Con Athens 2011 organizing team. But be careful! There will be a limit to the number of participants and teams, so you better hurry and register before it’s too late!
Can I wear a costume that I bought from a shop or online venue?
No. Only hand-made costumes created by the contestants themselves will be accepted. Excepted from this are small accessories (hair clips, jewelry, etc.), underwear, pantyhose and store-bought clothing items that have been altered to be used in making the costume.
The day of the competition has arrived. What should I do?
You make your way to the Hellenic-American Union. The kind volunteers at the front desk will have a list with the names of all contestants where you will be asked to sign (for groups, that goes for all members) and take your special name tag.
You will be informed by e-mail, a few days before the competition, about the exact time you must register at the building, but you must keep in mind that you might be asked to present your costume to the judges for the “costume quality” grades as early as 15:00. The judges will review each contestant separately and you will be given three minutes to talk about your costume and how you made it, and answer any questions the judges might have. If you are not ready to appear in costume at this particular appointment, you will be disqualified for this specific grade, but you will still be given the opportunity to appear on stage afterwards.
After finishing with the “costume quality” grading, you are free to do whatever you like until 18:30, when you will be expected to be at the theater, ready for your performance. Every contestant may receive one invitation for a friend/escort (only one invitation per group), which can be picked up at the front desk during registration. Remember that if you have more friends or relatives who wish to come and watch the competition, they must be informed about when the invitations will be handed out (Saturday, from 18:00 until supplies last).
Be careful! If you’re late for any of these appointments, there may be a problem with your participation in the competition, so you better make sure to plan your schedule accordingly!
And then, what happens next?
It’s show time! First up is the solo competition. All contestants will get up on stage (in order, according to the number on your name tag), in front of the judges and audience. Depending on whether you have arranged to have something with music or audio track, you either make your performance or simply strike a few poses (in character), and then exit the stage to give way to the next contestant. When the solo competition is completed, the group one begins. All members of each group get up on stage and present what they have prepared.
How will I be graded?
The Solo Competition will be graded by the following criteria
Α) Costume Quality 40%
Β) Similarity to characters 40%
C) Stage presence 20%
The Group Competition will be graded by the following criteria
Α) Costume Quality 30%
Β) Similarity to characters 30%
D) Stage presence 40%
The judges were wrong cause I definitely should have won. Can I dispute their decision?
NO! The judges’ decisions are final and non-negotiable.
I have registered but I changed my mind about my costume and I want to present some other character. Can I do that?
We are aware that the creation of a cosplay costume is a tough job, during which a lot of changes may be implemented. You can, therefore, change your registered character/costume, by sending a new full email (name, photos, etc.) to cosplay@comicdom-con.gr, with “Cosplay Competition- Change” on the subject line, before March 31.
Can I participate both in the solo and group competitions?
No. We want to make sure that as many people as possible will participate in the event and therefore it wouldn’t be fair for someone to take two spots.
I have a katana. May I bring it with me? It’s part of my costume, you know…
No. All kinds of weapons like swords (sharpened or not), knives, axes, martial art weaponry, handguns, shotguns, paintball guns, BB guns (all types of guns, in general), heavy metal chains, any object that shoots fire or sparks, and any type of sharp object or otherwise dangerous objects which can hurt or injure the participant and those around him. All props must be no longer than 200 cm, they must be light and have rounded edges. If you try to enter the Hellenic-American Union building with any object that does not conform with these rules, will result in your immediate disqualification from the contest and you will be asked to leave the premises.
How many winners will there be?
There will be three winners in the solo category and one group in the group category. The first winner of the solo competition will represent our country in the European competition EuroCosplay, that will be held at the London MCM EXPO on October 25 2013. EuroCosplay provides a return plane or train ticket for transportation from and to the winner’s place of residence, the expenses of one additional luggage up to 30 kg for transportation of the costume by plane or mail, a two-night stay at a London hotel and two daily passes for the October London MCM Expo.
In order for the winner to be eligible to participate in EuroCosplay he must be at least 18 years old before October 25 2013, be a Greek citizen or a citizen of a neighboring country that does not have its own EuroCosplay qualifying competition, and not participate in any way or form in the organizing of Comicdom Con Athens 2013. If the first winner of Comicdom Cosplay 2013 does not fulfill all these requirements, he will be replaced by the first runner-up according to the final standings in the competition, that does fulfill them.
Who will be the judges?
Ilias Kyriazis – Comics creator
Myrto Tselenti – Journalist, author, and Comicdom member
Gabriel Tombalidis – Comics creator and Comicdom member
Elina Hondronasiou – 1st place winner in the Comicdom Con Athens 2012 Cosplay Competition (Solo)
Ira Papadopoulou – Cultural Director, Hellenic-American Union
What do i get if I win?
1st place Solo
You will represent Greece at the European Competition, Eurocosplay 2013, that will be held in October at the MCM Expo! The winner will receive a return air or train ticket from and to his city of residence, expense coverage for one additional piece of luggage (up to 30 kg.) to transfer, by air or mail, his costume, a paid hotel stay for two nights at a London hotel and two daily entry passes for the October London MCM Expo.
2nd place Solo
— 1 Xbox Essential Pack, which includes an Xbox control pad, HDMI, Xbox LIVE & remote control (courtesy of Microsoft Hellas)
— 1 gaming G710 keyboard (courtesy of Logitech Hellas)
— 1 MP3 Walkman 4 Gb (courtesy of Sony Hellas)
— 1 headphones set (courtesy of Sony Hellas)
— Volumes #1-5 of Death Note manga (courtesy of Anubis)
3rd place Solo
— 1 TrackMan Marble (courtesy of Logitech Hellas)
— 1 MP3 Walkman 4 Gb (courtesy of Sony Hellas)
— 1 headphones set (courtesy of Sony Hellas)
— Volumes #1-5 of Berserk manga (courtesy of Anubis)
1st place Group
— 1 Wedge Mobile Keyboard (courtesy of Microsoft Hellas)
— 1 Wedge Touch Mouse (courtesy of Microsoft Hellas)
— 1 Xbox Blue tooth Wireless Head Set (courtesy of Microsoft Hellas)
— 1 Κ310 washable keyboard (courtesy of Logitech Hellas)
— 1 Κ400 touch keyboard (courtesy of Logitech Hellas)
— 1 MP3 Walkman 4 Gb (courtesy of Sony Hellas)
— 1 headphones set (courtesy of Sony Hellas)
— Volumes #1-5 of Bleach, Naruto, Shaman King and Fruits Basket manga (courtesy of Anubis)
Can I use a costume that I wore in a previous cosplay event?
Of course you can, as long as it’s hand-made and you made it yourself. But you can’t use the same costume you used in a previous Comicdom Con Athens Cosplay Competition.
Will you provide us a room where we can change into our costumes?
Yes. A room will be provided, which will be common for all participants but since space is limited it would be a good idea to arrive at the building at least a few hours before the appointment with the judges for the “costume quality” grading. There are also many rest rooms in the building, but keep in mind that they aren’t very spacious. If you use them to change, you must also make sure to leave the area in the same condition it was when you entered. You are responsible for the safety of you belongings.
Can I dress up, even if I don’t participate in the competition?
Of course you can! You are welcome to dress as any character you want, not only during the event, but for all the duration of the Con! Just remember that the rules about weapons/props is in place for all three days.
Will there be a party this year?
Of course there will be! Immediately after the finale of the competition, we’re expecting you at Ostria (65 Themistokleous Str. & 6 Oikonomou Str., Exarchia) for some crazy dancing with music selected by the top groups in the field, Akai Panda, Le Ciel, Lolli(k)pop and Oshare Play!.
Any type of inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Any nudity or indecent appearance will not be allowed. The organizers reserve the right to disqualify any participant or cosplayer that does not abide by the stated ruled.
If you have any further questions or comments, you can email us at cosplay@comicdom-con.gr.
The Grand Sponsor of Comicdom Cosplay 2013 is OtakuStore.gr.
